Justice Dobbs was speaking during a one-day session on judicial ethics yesterday, which was hosted by the British High Commission in collaboration with the Office of the Chancellor.
The legal luminary, who visited Barbados and Jamaica before stopping over here, said too that the days are gone when capricious judges sat on the bench and allowed lawyers to control what happens in the courtroom. She said judges have a duty to know the law as well as to stay informed as it changes.
Justice Dobbs underscored that a judge’s work is never over because of long court lists, outstanding judgments and staying abreast with what is happening in terms of new legislation among other things. She said there is also room for judges to offer their colleagues assistance. “There is always work to do,” she pointed out.
The British judge also noted that justice is no longer dispensed behind closed doors, adding that public is entitled to transparency. Judges, she said, have to behave in a manner above reproach when they are appointed because of the increasing scrutiny which is now attached to the position.
Chancellor (ag) Carl Singh called the session “timely”, noting that a measure of sensitization is needed on the issue of judicial ethics. He pointed out that this country has no organized, structured unit which caters for continuing judicial education, adding that there are occasional conferences and seminars on various areas on substantive law. He said too that some judges have benefited from training programmes overseas. The Chancellor also commended British High Commissioner Fraser Wheeler and his wife Sarah for facilitating the session and arranging for Justice Dobbs to visit.
High Commissioner Wheeler briefly commented that the seminar was part of sustained efforts in the local judiciary. He said it follows on a visit here by retired British Judge John Sessions last year, recalling that a commitment was given then for training sessions to be conducted.
Justice Dobbs, who has an extensive background in the legal profession, was the first ethnic minority judge to be appointed in the United Kingdom.
She became Queen’s Counsel in 1998, was appointed a deputy high court judge in 2003 and a high court judge in 2004. She is the current Chair of the Magisterial Committee of Judicial Studies Board in the UK and a Senior Liaison Judge for Diversity.
